Charles F. Robinson III, a legendary reporter and radio producer, was a mentor and supporter of the political organization Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, and his coverage of their work gave them political legitimacy.
Tag: West Baltimore
Posted inBaltimore News
West Baltimore students compete in spelling bee at Herbert Street Park
West Baltimore students from Robert W. Coleman Elementary School showcased their skills at a spelling bee held Oct. 10 at Herbert Street Community Park. The family-friendly event, hosted by the West North Avenue Development Authority and Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council, also featured an outdoor movie screening and food from Black-owned Concierge Catering.
Posted inOpinion
Rebuilding from the belly of the whale: A blueprint to disrupt our collective pain and invest in West Baltimore
Janet Allen is president of Heritage Crossing Resident Association. This week, she speaks on the weight of systemic neglect on the Black community in West Baltimore.
Posted in!Front Page
City of Gods: Where Baltimore fashion meets community
By Megan Sayles, AFRO Staff Writer msayles@afro.com Credit: All photos by Devin Allen Back in 2009, a group of local players in Baltimore’s fashion scene came together to open City of Gods, an urban apparel store in West Baltimore’s Hollins Market neighborhood. What began as a collaboration between multiple independent clothing brands quickly became a […]
Posted inClimate Change
From pews to policy: Faith leaders step up in the climate change fight
In response to intensifying climate threats, the Baltimore Office of Sustainability is partnering with community organizations like Allen AME Church to provide neighborhood-based climate solutions. From cooling centers and weather tracking to equitable policy and education, the city is building a more resilient and sustainable Baltimore through collaboration and community engagement.
Posted inOPINION
Opinion: Baltimore’s roads were built on Black suffering; now it’s time to build something different
Steven K. Ragsdale argues that Baltimore must reckon with its legacy of slavery and disinvestment—particularly in West Baltimore—by fully committing to projects like the Red Line, which can serve as a form of reparative justice for communities historically harmed by systemic neglect.
Posted inBaltimore News
A housing voucher helped Labrenia Parker survive—now she owns a home in the ZIP code she grew up in
Labrenia Parker spent nights sleeping on friends’ floors before a housing voucher gave her and her children a stable place to live. This year, with the help of a lender who guided her through grants and savings, she became a first-time homeowner in the same ZIP code where she grew up.
Posted inBaltimore Events
Love Groove Festival returns with new energy, venue and vision
The Love Groove Festival returns to West Baltimore on Sept. 13 with a new location, national headliners, local talent and expanded activities like a skate park, community run and bike ride. Founded by Emmy-winning composer John Tyler, the free festival is now in its ninth year.
Posted inAFRO CHARITIES
Afro Charities set to host ‘Wildest Dreams’ fundraiser
Afro Charities will host its annual “Wildest Dreams” fundraiser on June 7 in Baltimore to support the preservation of the AFRO’s more than 130-year-old archival collection. The event reflects the organization’s ongoing work to honor Black legacy, expand public access to historical records and invest in community memory.
Posted inBaltimore News
State of Maryland announces grant funding for economic development projects for Baltimore’s most-disinvested residential and commercial corridor in West Baltimore
The West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) has awarded over $6.5 million in its second round of grant funding to 19 recipients, including minority-, women-, veteran-, and returning citizen-led businesses, as part of its 15-year revitalization strategy for West Baltimore. With a total investment of $21.2 million over the past two years, WNADA continues to drive economic growth, support local businesses, and improve community services along the West North Avenue corridor.
Posted inBooks
Writing through trauma: How one man is using his story to inspire change
After a decade of reflection and research, former inmate Kevin Shird has completed his memoir, a powerful exploration of trauma, redemption and the need for better mental health support. Through his personal story of overcoming incarceration, PTSD and a past filled with violence, Shird advocates for a shift in the Black community’s approach to mental health. His book highlights the importance of seeking help, particularly for those who have been incarcerated, and calls for better mental health resources. As a mentor and educator, Kevin hopes to inspire others to embrace change and seek support in their own journeys toward healing.
Posted inBUSINESS
Center for Technology Access and Training works to close digital divide in Sandtown
Michael Smith’s Center for Technology Access and Training has received a grant from the Abell Foundation to teach youth in Sandtown how to code, and is now providing computer literacy training, coding education, and troubleshooting services to residents in the community.